Hardy Lake

For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.

A 741-acre lake, Hardy Lake is located in Scottsburg in Scott County. Facilities include an archery range, basketball and volleyball courts, horseshoe pits, boating ramps, camping, and cultural arts programs. The reservoir also has hunting and fishing, hiking, interpretive programs, picnicking, rowboat rentals, shelterhouses, a swimming beach and waterskiing.

Black crappie

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.

Bait: Minnows and small jigs
Depth: 12 ft

Comments about fish:

Activity is fair

Bluegill

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.

Bait: Driftworms and bee moths
Depth: 6 to 10 ft

Comments about fish:

Activity is good

Channel catfish

Description:

The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.

Bait: night crawlers, cut bait
Depth: bottom

Comments about fish:

No activity to report.

Largemouth bass

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.

Bait: Artificial bait of choice
Depth: varied

Comments about fish:

No activity to report.

Muskellunge

Description:

Members of the Pike family, the muskellunge, tiger muskellunge and northern pike have established themselves as remarkable adversaries through the years. The muskie, native to Indiana, is now usually found in stocked bodies of water. The northern pike, a voracious eater and popular among anglers, can be found in northern Indiana in natural lakes and streams. The muskie has three distinct color patterns, including green to silver "clear" sides, dark spots or dark vertical bars, six or more sensory pores on each side and scales covering only the top half of both cheeks. The muskie can weigh 10-20 pounds, but can reach weights over 30 pounds and lengths up to four feet long. Lures up to 12 inches are designed to resemble medium-sized fish and even small ducks.

Bait: Crank Bait
Depth: 10' to 15'

Comments about fish:

Poor but when one is caught it is usually a large fish, well over the minimum size limit of 36 inches.

Redear sunfish

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The redear sunfish has an opercle flap (ear) that is tipped with a red or orange margin.

Bait: Crickets-Bee Moths-Redworms
Depth: 6 to 10 ft

Comments about fish:

Activity is good.

Striped bass

Description:

These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The striped bass has tooth patches on back of tongue in two parallel patches, first stripe below lateral line complete to tail, stripes above lateral line are unbroken.

Bait: Large Minnow or Artificial Large Minnows
Depth: Trolling

Comments about fish:

Striped bass are being caught but are usually small.

Comments about body of water:

Water level is at normal pool. Water is temperature is above normal.

Greene-Sullivan State Forest lakes

For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.

Greene-Sullivan State Forest is composed of 8,000 acres of reclaimed surface mined land that includes the planting of several different species of trees that are managed for wildlife and timber production. The forest has more than 100 fishing lakes which have produced some record catches. Facilities include an archery range, boat launch ramp, camping, horseman's camp, dumping station, fishing and hunting, picnicking, trails and hiking.

Bluegill

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.

Bait: bee moths, small jigs, crickets
Depth: 1-12 ft.

Comments about fish:

Bluegill fishing is dependent upon the weather fronts. Lighter tackle will have the best results. Using light lines seems to work best. Bluegill are spawing. Good reports on fishing in Reservoir #26 & #29 the past couple of weeks.

Channel catfish

Description:

The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.

Bait: nightcrawlers, stink bait, livers
Depth: lake bottom 6-11ft.

Comments about fish:

Try Wampler, Graveyard, West, Reservoir 26, and Bass lakes.

Largemouth bass

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.

Bait: rubber worms, Slug-go, crank baits, and spinner baits
Depth: 3-12 feet

Comments about fish:

Best times to catch bass are mornings and evenings. Bass are about done spawning.

Muskellunge

Description:

Members of the Pike family, the muskellunge, tiger muskellunge and northern pike have established themselves as remarkable adversaries through the years. The muskie, native to Indiana, is now usually found in stocked bodies of water. The northern pike, a voracious eater and popular among anglers, can be found in northern Indiana in natural lakes and streams. The muskie has three distinct color patterns, including green to silver "clear" sides, dark spots or dark vertical bars, six or more sensory pores on each side and scales covering only the top half of both cheeks. The muskie can weigh 10-20 pounds, but can reach weights over 30 pounds and lengths up to four feet long. Lures up to 12 inches are designed to resemble medium-sized fish and even small ducks.

Bait: minnow imitation crankbaits
Depth: deep to bottom

Comments about fish:

Please let us know if you catch any muskie! We'd love to hear about it! Report of 45 inch muskie was caught and released recently at bass lake, possible "Fish of the Year" in spring 2011.

Rainbow or steelhead trout

Description:

Ever popular among Indiana anglers is the trout family, which includes the brown, lake and rainbow or steelhead trout. Many fisherman can be spotted on the shores during spawning season when the trout begin their runs into the tributaries. Rainbow or steelhead trout have a white mouth, teeth and gums and small black spots on their backs, sides, and caudal and dorsal fins. The caudal fin margin of the rainbow or steelhead trout is square and the fish has 9-12 anal fin rays.

Bait: Artificial lures, power bait
Depth: 15 - 40 ft

Comments about fish:

Airline Lake is closed from March 15th through March 31st. Will reopen for fishing April 1st. Fish deep for best results.

White crappie

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The white crappie has six dorsal spines, black side markings forming vertical bars rather than random spots and anal fin rays.

Bait: minnows, small jigs
Depth: 3 - 12 ft

Comments about fish:

Crappie can be found around submerged structures. Reservior #26 has good reports for Crappie fishing this past couple of weeks.

Comments about body of water:

Water in campgrounds has been turned back on. Camping rates are $8.00 per site per night for family campgrounds. Aquatic weed control was completed on Reservoir #26 on 3/20/12. Fish cleaning station is open. Please continue to help us keep the lakes clean of litter! Buffalo gnats are starting to bite. Vanilla or Buggins spray seems to help repel them.

Hovey Lake

For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.

Hovey Lake is an oxbow lake form around 500 years ago by the Ohio River. The lake is located in Hovey Lake FWA, 8.3 miles south of Mt. Vernon on SR 69. Excellent fishing opportunities exist for white crappie and channel catfish. Other species include bluegill, freshwater drum, blue catfish, redear sunfish, sauger, common carp, flathead catfish, largemouth bass, black crappie and white bass.

Channel catfish

Description:

The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.

Bait: minnows, night crawlers
Depth: about 1' off bottom

Comments about fish:

Cut bait or nightcrawlers work well. Don't let the bait lay on bottom. Other catfish species such as large blue and flatheads can be caught.

White crappie

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The white crappie has six dorsal spines, black side markings forming vertical bars rather than random spots and anal fin rays.

Bait: minnows, tube jigs
Depth: 3-6'

Comments about fish:

Fish tend to be scattered, mobilty is key to finding fish. Fisheries surveys are showing the larger crappie are suspending in the open lake away from the timber.

Comments about body of water:

Water levels have been stable with a long period of stable weather. Fishing pressure has been fairly light with most anglers targeting large Flatheads. Whole or cut shad remain the bait of choice. Be advised the Rail Marsh levee and the drain will be closed to fishing much of the summer due to construction and heavy equipment activity. As of April 6, 2011 the motor horsepower restrictions has been changed. The lake is now has a 10 mph speed limit with any motor size allowed.

Summit Lake

For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.

Located in Summit Lake State Park, Summit Lake is approximately four miles north of New Castle. Bluegill, perch and largemouth bass provide the best angling opportunities at Summit Lake. Other opportunities also exist for perch, bluegill, crappie, redear and channel catfish.

Black crappie

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.

Bait: small jigs and minnows
Depth: 3-15 feet

Comments about fish:

Crappie fishing at times has been good.

Bluegill

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.

Bait: maggots, wax worms, mousies on small jigs, artificial flies
Depth: 3-12 feet

Comments about fish:

Bluegill fishing has been good.

Channel catfish

Description:

The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.

Bait: nightcrawlers, liver, soft plastics
Depth: 4-14 feet

Comments about fish:

Channel cats are actively feeding and some large ones have been caught.

Largemouth bass

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.

Bait: Slowly moved rattling and suspending lures.
Depth: 2-20 feet

Comments about fish:

A lot of bass have been caught lately but most are 12-14 inches.

Redear sunfish

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The redear sunfish has an opercle flap (ear) that is tipped with a red or orange margin.

Bait: maggots, wax worms, mousies on ice jigs
Depth: 4-20

Comments about fish:

The population is low.

Walleye

Description:

Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The walleye has no spots on its dorsal fin and a dusky spot at the rear of its spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white.

Bait: jigs with plastic grubs, trolled vibrating lures, jigging spoons
Depth: 3-25 feet

Comments about fish:

Walleye prefer low light conditions and are active when there is a chop on the water or at dusk, dawn, and at night.

White bass

Description:

These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The white bass has a single tooth patch on back of tongue, first stripe below lateral line not complete to tail.

Bait: small light colored jigs, spoons, and lures
Depth: 5-20 feet

Comments about fish:

Fishing has been very good for white bass, especially around sunset. Try small light colored jigs with twister tails using an erratic swimming motion.

Yellow perch

Description:

Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The yellow perch ranges from 6 to 12 inches long and up to one or two pounds.

Bait: small lures and jigs, minnows and other live bait
Depth: 10-35 feet

Comments about fish:

Occasionally perch have been caught. The population is small.

Comments about body of water:

Fishing has been good for crappie and bluegill in 6-12 feet. White bass are being caught in numbers along the shoreline at sunset. The office is open 8-4, phone: 765-766-5873. Please practice catch and release; remember - you can only eat them once. The campground is open and the water is turned on. Camp reservations: 866-622-6746 or www.CAMP.IN.gov. Camping rates are $17.34 Sunday - Wednesday and $25.50 Thursday - Saturday. 2012 hunting and fishing licenses as well as entrance and boat passes are on sale. Take a kid fishing, make a memory. Boats can be rented from the office.

Atterbury FWA lakes, ponds and rivers

For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.

Atterbury FWA is located near Edinburgh in Johnson and Bartholomew counties. Atterbury Fish and Wildlife Area is dedicated to providing quality hunting and fishing opportunities while maintaining 6,206 acres of upland game habitat, marsh, running creeks and shallow impoundments. The area provides opportunities for fishing at Sugar Creek, Stone Arch and Pisgah Lakes and other small ponds. Other opportunities for hunting, wildlife watching, wetland trapping, dog training, areas and blackberries, raspberries, morels and walnut gathering are also available.

Bluegill

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.

Bait: live
Depth: shallow

Comments about fish:

Bluegills biting on beemoths, redworms, and crikets, suspended under a float in shallow water.

Channel catfish

Description:

The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.

Bait: live
Depth: shallow

Comments about fish:

Channel catfish are being caught early in the morning and late in the afternoon, using nightcrawlers on the bottom.

Largemouth bass

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.

Bait: artificial
Depth: shallow

Comments about fish:

Largemouth bass are biting on crankbaits and spinner baits.

Smallmouth bass

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The last rays on the dorsal fin of the smallmouth bass are separated from the rest of the fin. Also, the upper jaw does not extend beyond back of eye, as it does with the largemouth bass. The smallmouth bass commonly reaches 3-4 pounds.

Bait: artificial
Depth: shallow

Comments about fish:

Sugar Creeks water level is back to normal and the water clarity is good.

White crappie

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The white crappie has six dorsal spines, black side markings forming vertical bars rather than random spots and anal fin rays.

Bait: live/artificial
Depth: shallow

Comments about fish:

Crappies are being caught using minnows and small jigs.

Comments about body of water:

Coyote Marsh and Honker Haven are open to fishing, at this time. Coyote Marsh and Honker Haven will remian open until the waterfowl resting area signs are installed by property personel. Teal Marsh, Mallard Marsh, Mink Medow, Possum Puddle, Gopher Hole, and Beaver Bottom are open to fishing. Pisgah Lake and Stone Arch Lake are open to fishing all year long.

Willow Slough FWA lakes and ponds

For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.

Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area is dedicated to providing quality hunting and fishing opportunities while maintaining 9,956 acres, which includes 1,800 acres of open water, marshes and flooded crop land. In addition to fishing at J.C. Murphey Lake and numerous ponds, the property also offers hunting, wildlife watching, camping, wetland trapping, and dog training areas. Wild blackberries, blueberries and raspberries, walnuts and spring and fall mushroom gathering is available.

Black crappie

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.

Bait: minnows/jigs
Depth: 2 to 5 feet

Comments about fish:

Few reports about crappie for the last three weeks. Some anglers are catching 1 or 2 here and there. Surface water temps now in 60's. Warm fronts are improving the fishing.

Bluegill

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.

Bait: beemoths, crickets, worms
Depth: N/A

Comments about fish:

Bluegill fishing has been picking up with the warmer water temperatures. A few have been taken in deeper water along vegetation and shorelines. Most anglers favor early morning or late evening. The latest warm fronts have turned up the bite. Gills are grouping up in preperation for spawning efforts, some beds have developed.

Largemouth bass

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.

Bait: variety of lures
Depth: N/A

Comments about fish:

Bass fishing has been fair. Top water lures are always a good choice along with plastic worms. Many fish are in the 12 - 15 inch size class, under the legal size limit.

Comments about body of water:

JC Murphey Lake had minimal ice this year. The water is open for boat fishing. Surface water temperature is now in 60's. Emergent vegetation is minimal now and with some early weed control applications completed, the submergent vegetation should stay in check. Willow Slough Fish and Wildlife Area does not rent boats.

Mississinewa Lake

For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.

Located in Miami, Wabash and Grant counties, Mississinewa Lake is a 3,210-acre ake with fishing, boating, ramps, waterskiing, fishing piers and cleaning stations, and a swimming beach. The facilities also has a basketball and volleyball court, camping with reservations, a cultural arts program, dumping station, frisbee golf course, hiking, hunting, interpretive programs, picnicking, shelterhouses, playgrounds and a radio-control flying field.

Black crappie

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.

Bait: minnow and jigs
Depth: varies

Comments about fish:

Fishing fair at this time. small population.

Bluegill

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.

Bait: worms and bee moths
Depth: varies

Comments about fish:

Fish around exposed wood and next to rocky ledges. Fishing fair.

Channel catfish

Description:

The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.

Bait: night crawlers/cut bait/prepared bait
Depth: varies

Comments about fish:

Fishing fair. Good population in lake.

Largemouth bass

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.

Bait: spinner baits/suspended crank baits
Depth: Varies

Comments about fish:

Fishing fair. Reports of large populations of bass in lake.

Smallmouth bass

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The last rays on the dorsal fin of the smallmouth bass are separated from the rest of the fin. Also, the upper jaw does not extend beyond back of eye, as it does with the largemouth bass. The smallmouth bass commonly reaches 3-4 pounds.

Bait: spinner and crank baits, jigs
Depth: varies

Comments about fish:

Fishing fair.

Walleye

Description:

Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The walleye has no spots on its dorsal fin and a dusky spot at the rear of its spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white.

Bait: minnows, shad imitations
Depth: varies

Comments about fish:

best late evening and night in lake. Released small walleye into lake in June.

White bass

Description:

These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The white bass has a single tooth patch on back of tongue, first stripe below lateral line not complete to tail.

Bait: jigs and small spinners / minnows
Depth: varies

Comments about fish:

In lake points and breaks. River best after water clears. Most stripers are caught by trolling edges. Fishing fair at this time.

White crappie

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The white crappie has six dorsal spines, black side markings forming vertical bars rather than random spots and anal fin rays.

Bait: minnows and small jigs
Depth: varies

Comments about fish:

fishing fair.

Comments about body of water:

Lake level about 10 ft below summer pool. Lake level rising several inches / day. Lake will be at summer pool whenever we get rain to fill lake. Miami and Red Bridge ramps OK to launch boats. Miami and Red Bridge ramp restrooms open for season. Courtesy docks removed from lake. Vault toilet only at Frances Slocum Ramp. Summer camping rates in effect. Water on in campgrounds. Use self registration box located by office door to pay for camping when office closed. "IMPORTANT NEW INFO":Lake Permit stickers for all watercraft (motorized $20.00 and non-motorized $5.00)now required on all boats while on lake/ponds. Call 765-473-6528 for additional information on lake conditions.

Monroe Reservoir

For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.

Lake Monroe is a 10,750 acre flood control reservoir located in Brown and Monroe counties southeast of Bloomington. It is the largest lake in the state with recreational activities such as boating and fishing. Fishing consists primarily of largemouth bass and panfish, such as bluegill and yellow perch. Other angling opportunities include white crappie, hybrid striped bass and yellow perch, as well as channel and flathead catfish. Lake Monroe has also become one of the best walleye fisheries in Indiana.

Bluegill

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.

Bait: small jigs/crickets
Depth: shallow - 10feet

Comments about fish:

Bluegill fishing always seems best around shallow structure. Also look along sumerged creek beds. Fish are on beds.

Hybrid striped bass

Description:

These bass belong to the temperate bass family. Temperate basses include the true fresh water basses, white and yellow bass, and the striped bass, which originally lived in the Atlantic Ocean but can live its entire life in fresh water. Temperate basses often school far from shore and feed on schooling fish. Hybrid striped bass are a cross of white and striped bass. The hybrid striped bass has two tooth patches and the back of the tongue are joined. The first stripe below the lateral line complete to the tail and the stripes above the lateral line are usually broken.

Bait: live / artificial
Depth: surface to 20feet

Comments about fish:

Slow trolling live bait seems to produce the most fish. Look for schools of bait fish. Fish in the 8 - 10 foot range. Fish are also working the surface at first and last light. Try area from Fairfax to the Dam.

Largemouth bass

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.

Bait: N/A
Depth: N/A

Comments about fish:

No Reports

Walleye

Description:

Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The walleye has no spots on its dorsal fin and a dusky spot at the rear of its spiny dorsal fin, lower tip of tail and anal fin are white.

Bait: n/a
Depth: n/a

Comments about fish:

No Reports

White crappie

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The white crappie has six dorsal spines, black side markings forming vertical bars rather than random spots and anal fin rays.

Bait: jigs and minnows
Depth: shallow to 8 feet

Comments about fish:

Crappie are located around almost any structure.

Comments about body of water:

The Lake is @ 1/2 foot above pool. Water temp is @ 73. All ramps are open. Middlefork Resting Area is now open, but Northfork Resting will remain closed until April 15th. Those wishing to report specifics about their fishing experience and help keep Fishing Reports current may do so by calling the Lake Monroe Office at (812) 837-9546.

Potato Creek State Park

For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.

Potato Creek is located in north central Indiana about 12 miles southwest of South Bend. The park features a wide array of activities and facilities for year-round enjoyment. A variety of natural habitats await the visitor to this park including the 327-acre Worster Lake, old fields, mature woodlands, restored prairies and diverse wetlands. Each of these offer their own unique opportunities for plant and wildlife observations. Facilities include a general store, cross country skiing, cultural arts programs, a dumping station and fishing . In addition, the property offers hiking, interpretive center and services, picnicking, canoe, paddleboat and rowboat rentals, recreation building rental, reservable shelters, youth tent areas, and a swimming beach.

Bluegill

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.

Bait: redworms & waxworms
Depth: 10'

Comments about fish:

See Worster Lake at Potato Creek for weekly updates.

Comments about body of water:

Potato Creek State Park: Worster Lake 327 acre lake. Limited to electric motors only. Two boat launches (east and west) Launches are currently algea covered and slippery. Note launches have been treated to diminish the algea build-up

Worster Lake at Potato Creek State Park

For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.

Potato Creek is located in north central Indiana about 12 miles southwest of South Bend. The park features a wide array of activities and facilities for year-round enjoyment. A variety of natural habitats await the visitor to this park including the 327-acre Worster Lake, old fields, mature woodlands, restored prairies and diverse wetlands. Each of these offer their own unique opportunities for plant and wildlife observations. Facilities include a general store, cross country skiing, cultural arts programs, a dumping station and fishing . In addition, the property offers hiking, interpretive center and services, picnicking, canoe, paddleboat and rowboat rentals, recreation building rental, reservable shelters, youth tent areas, and a swimming beach.

Black crappie

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.

Bait: redworms, minnows, waxworms, spinner
Depth: 2' to 6'

Comments about fish:

Catching crappie, bluegills, catfish and bass. Boat Rental open Sat & Sun, full time May 12. Camp Store will be open Friday & Saturday Sunday weekends until May 20, hen full time.

Bluegill

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.

Bait: Waxworms, night crawlers
Depth: 4-5'

Comments about fish:

Congregates around vegetation and sunken trees of shallow backwater bays, lakes and ponds. Spewning occurs when water reaches 67-70 degrees in shallow areas over sand and gravel. Nests in colonies and spawn once every 29 days during spring/summer.

Comments about body of water:

Potato Creek State Park: Worster Lake 327 acre lake. Limited to electric motors only. Two boat launches (east and west) Launches get algae covered and slippery. Note: launches are treated as needed to diminish the algae build-up.

Glendale FWA lakes and ponds

For more information about the lake please click on the lake name above.

Glendale FWA is dedicated to providing quality hunting and fishing opportunities while maintaining 8,060 acres of land and over 1,400 acres of lakes and impoundments. Located in Daviess County, Glendale FWA has fishing in Dogwood lake and other ponds. The area also has hunting, wildlife watching, camping, wetland trapping, and dog training areas and blackberries, persimmon, hickory nuts, morels and walnut gathering.

Black crappie

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The Black crappie has seven to eight dorsal spines, as well as some random blotches on it's sides.

Bait: Jigs w/black-silver curley tails, chartreuse jigs & some w/trailing minnows or beemoth
Depth: Deep water to 16 ft.

Comments about fish:

Crappie had gone into deeper water and are not biting very well. Very limited success on jigs w/beemoth or trailing minnow.

Bluegill

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The bluegill has five to nine vertical bars on its sides, a black opercle flat (ear) with no margin and a dark spot at the rear of it's dorsal fin.

Bait: Crickets, & Jigs, redworms
Depth: Deep water to 18 ft.

Comments about fish:

It's that time again. Bluegills have come into shallow water and are on the beds. This has occurred just this past week. So the fishing or should I say catching, is Good!

Channel catfish

Description:

The channel catfish has a smooth scaleless skin and barbels on its face resembling cat whiskers. The barbels help the channel catfish taste and feel objects and enable it to locate food in dark and turbid water. The channel catfish has 24-29 rays in its rounded anal fin. The caudal fin is deeply forked and the fish has dark spots on its sides when young.

Bait: Live bait. Worms
Depth: 4' to 10' of water

Comments about fish:

There have been very few anglers fishing for catfish specifically, but some have been taken on live bait and worms. Limb-line and trot-line fishermen are having fair to good success. Trot-Line & Limb-line season on Dogwood Lake started on the first Thursday in April, 2012. 15 permits will be issued per week on a first/come, first/serve basis. Some nice flatheads have been taken on limb-lines using small 'gills as bait. Just remember Live Shad and Carp are NOT legal as bait! DISPOSE OF ANY UNUSED LIVE BAIT ON THE BANK - NOT IN THE WATER!

Largemouth bass

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. On the largemouth bass, the upper jaw extends beyond back of eye, differentiating the fish from the smallmouth bass. The largemouth bass commonly reached six pounds.

Bait: Artificial worms and worm harness
Depth: In 3 to 10 ft. of water

Comments about fish:

Talked to some successful bass fishermen. They are still fishing with artificial worms. Fishing from boats sitting in the channels and casting toward the shoreline just to the edge of the weed beds. Bass are moving into shallow water to feed.

Redear sunfish

Description:

Sunfishes include some of the best-known fish in Indiana. Bluegill, redear sunfish, black and white crappie, largemouth, spotted and smallmouth bass are all members of the sunfish family. The redear sunfish has an opercle flap (ear) that is tipped with a red or orange margin.

Bait: Jigs , jigs w/trailing beemoth , redworms, nightcrawlers
Depth: Shallow

Comments about fish:

Same as for bluegills! Catching is good.

Yellow perch

Description:

Indiana anglers have long since sought perch for their tasty flavor. The yellow perch, walleye and sauger are members of this popular family. The yellow perch ranges from 6 to 12 inches long and up to one or two pounds.

Bait: Redworm, nightcrawlers
Depth: Deep Water

Comments about fish:

Not really anything to report on perch since most fishermen are concentrating on bluegills and redear.

Comments about body of water:

Dogwood Lake water level is at summer pool. The water is clear and the temperature is ranging in the low to mid 70's. After T-showers or storms today, the weather is predicted to be mostly sunny with air temperatures in the mid 70's in the daytime to nighttime lows in the upper 60's. The next "Predicted" chance for inclement weather is on Sunday, Mothers' Day. NOTE: The HORSEPOWER LIMIT HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM DOGWOOD LAKE. There is a MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT OF 10 MPH IMPOSED on the lake REGARDLESS of motor size!